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Using an Adaptive, Self-Directed Web-Based Learning Module to Enhance Residents’ Medical Knowledge Prior to a New Clinical Rotation

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Abstract

Background

The effect of self-directed adaptive learning on internal medicine residents’ knowledge prior to a new clinical rotation is not known.

Methods

We developed an adaptive, online, self-directed spaced repetition module and determined the effect on medical knowledge acquisition. We randomized postgraduate year 1 internal medicine residents into two groups. The intervention group (n = 27) received an electronic version of the clinical rotation curriculum as portable document format (PDF) files and participated in the online module, delivered via Moodle, a free, open-source learning management system. The non-intervention group (n = 27) only received the PDF files. All residents participated in a medical knowledge test at baseline and 3 months later.

Results

Both groups were similar at study baseline in terms of age, trainee type, years since graduation, results at United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, 2, In-Training Examination (ITE), and pre-intervention evaluation. There was a statistically significant improvement in scores on the post-intervention medical knowledge assessment for the intervention group when compared with the non-intervention group (24.2 ± 15.4% vs. 8.6 ± 9.9%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

An online, self-directed, adaptive spaced repetition–learning module can offer a simple and effective method to increase the medical knowledge present at the start of residents’ clinical rotations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internal Medicine Residency Program, Cleveland Clinic, NA10, 9500 Euclid, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Andrei Brateanu, Tara M. Strang, Ari Garber, Abby Spencer & James Thomascik

  2. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Shylaja Mani

  3. Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Bruce Spevak, Neil Mehta & Colleen Y. Colbert

Authors
  1. Andrei Brateanu
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  2. Tara M. Strang
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  4. Shylaja Mani
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Correspondence to Andrei Brateanu.

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Brateanu, A., Strang, T.M., Garber, A. et al. Using an Adaptive, Self-Directed Web-Based Learning Module to Enhance Residents’ Medical Knowledge Prior to a New Clinical Rotation. Med.Sci.Educ. 29, 779–786 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-019-00772-8

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